Childminder in Sefton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346140 Inspection date 14/01/2011 Inspector Mary Wignall

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children in the Crosby area of Liverpool. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children when working alone. She works closely with another childminder working on the premises and may use an assistant. When working with an assistant or the other childminder this number increases. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll in the early years age range.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The needs of the children are met due to the childminder's interest and attention to the children. They make good progress in their learning as the childminder interacts skilfully to develop the children's understanding. Most of the required documentation is effectively implemented to ensure the children's well-being. Positive relationships with the parents and other agencies means children's individual needs are fully understood and met. The childminder evaluates and develops her service by attending regular training events and liaising with other childminders in the area. The childminder's improvements to the outdoor space demonstrate her capacity to improve.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 22/02/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 use observations and assessments of children's achievements to help plan for the next steps in their learning.

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the early years provision

The children are safeguarded due to the childminder's good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. A written policy and a display of good practice guidance materials demonstrate her commitment to protect children. Children feel safe and quickly establish secure relationships with the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder shares resources and documentation with the other childminder working on the premises to ensure consistency for the children. Clear and comprehensive policies agreed with the parents keep them well informed about the provision. The childminder understands the need to obtain permission from parents before administering medicine. She maintains clear records of any medicine given to the children to inform parents. However, written permission is not obtained prior to every medicine given to children. This does not fully promote

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the early years provision

the children's health in partnership with parents and is a breach of requirements.

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the early years provision

Positive relationships with parents mean they chat freely about their children's experiences and development as they collect their children. Such relations inform the childminder's effective self-evaluation of her provision and have led to targeted improvements in resources for the outdoor play space. The childminder has a clear understanding of the benefits of partnership with other providers the children also attend. Letters of introduction to such providers builds partnerships and provides useful information for the planning of consistent experiences for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of the playroom ensuring children can see and reach toys of interest to them. They see positive images of a diverse society developing their understanding of the world. She has experience of working with local authority support workers to implement individual learning plans ensuring all children's individual needs are met.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans an enabling environment in which the children are active and enjoy learning. The childminder promotes the children's thinking and learning by asking open questions. She models enthusiasm for learning as she counts and talks with interest to the children as they play. As a result the children are motivated and fully engaged in their activities. The playroom is well presented with a range of good quality toys and equipment. The children show independence as they make choices in their play activities. The childminder's planning systems are flexible, based on children's interests and daily routines. They have been reviewed to clearly show how all areas of learning are covered for each child. High adult to child ratios and close working with the other childminder means she has a good knowledge of the children's learning progress. This ensures their learning builds on what they already know and can do. However, this is not clearly reflected in the

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and outcomes for children

planning systems to ensure consistent learning progress for the children.

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and outcomes for children

The children learn useful skills for the future as they play. The childminder plans exciting activities. Visits to the local library extend the children's interest in books and stories. They visit when their favourite author is present, bringing the stories to life. The childminder's challenging questions develops the children's language and thinking skills. The childminder and children count as they play. This reinforces the children's learning and gives opportunities for them to practise their counting skills in practical situations. The childminder extends their understanding by demonstrating how to count down from ten simulating a rocket launch. It captures the children's imagination as they develop their own game running and counting as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fast as a rocket. The childminder skilfully recognises the children's interest leaving

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and outcomes for children

the counting down for another time and sharing their joy of safely running fast in the open space. The children learn about technology as they use the computer or explore the mechanisms in the tools in the sand they play with.

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and outcomes for children

Younger and older children benefit from outdoor play in the fresh air. Younger children smile and delight as the childminder enables them to sit safely on small rides or to slide down the small slide. The older children demonstrate good social skills as they hand the younger children toys to hold. They delight in banging the toy against the child-sized gazebo listening to the noises it makes. The use of new technology in the provision of automatic soap dispensers encourages the children's interest in technology and good hygiene routines. All children, including children new to the childminder's care, settle quickly. Well-established routines and warm relationships help them feel safe and secure and build good relationships. The children show a good understanding of the needs of others as they play together. They run fast in the space together avoiding each other and waiting for each to have their turn before running.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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